Traction device



M. KAUFMAN TRACTION DEVICE Jan. 12, 1954 Filed July 30, 1952 INVENTOR.Manue/ Kaufman ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE TRACTION DEVICE Manuel Kaufman, Fresno, Calif. Application July30, 1952, Serial No. 301,708

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a traction device, and more particularly to atraction device for promoting the health of the person using the device.

The object of the invention is to provide a traction device which willserve to place the spine in traction, relieve tension headaches, andrelieve pressure on intervertebral discs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a traction devicewhich will relieve the nerve root pressure in intervertebral discherniations, and which will also relieve headaches associated withmuscular tension or muscular strain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a traction device which isshaped and constructed so that the person undergoing treatment can beseated comfortably in a chair and be engaged by the sling or chin andhead strap, the traction device of the present invention including aWeighted rope or cable which is operatively connected to a chin and headstrap so that the head and neck will be put in traction to relievevarious pressures on the spinal cord and associated nerves.

A further object of the invention is to provide a traction device whichis extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout thesame:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the traction device, constructedaccording to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the traction device.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral Ill designates avertically disposed standard or upright which may be fabricated of pipe,and the traction device further includes a horizontally disposed base II which may also be made of pipe. The base H includes a cross piecewhich embodies a pair of sections I4 that are arranged in end to endrelation with respect to each other. The sections I4 are connected tothe lower end of the standard II) by means of a fitting I2, Figure 1.

Arranged transversely with respect to the ends of the sections I4 andconnected thereto is a pair of spaced parallel legs I5.

Mounted on the upper end of the standard I is an elbow I6, and extendingfrom the elbow I6 is a horizontally disposed arm H. The arm I'I extendsabove the legs I and is arranged therebetween for a purpose to be laterdescribed.

A bracket I8 is detachably or adjustably connected to the standard I0,and a similar bracket I9 is detachably or adjustably connected to thearm IT. A pulley 20 is rotatably supported by the bracket l9, while apulley 2I is rotatably supported by the bracket I8. Trained over thepulleys 20 and H is a cable or rope 22, and a weight 23 is connected toone end of the cable 22.

Operatively connected to the other end of the rope 22 is a chin and headstrap or sling 24. s For connecting the sling 24 to the cable or rope22, a horizontally disposed bar 25 is provided with a ring 26 which isconnected to the cable 22. The ends of the bar 25 are shaped to definehooks 21 which are adapted to be engaged by the ends of the sling 24.

The letter P indicates the person being treated, and it will be seenthat the traction device of the present invention is constructed so thatthe person P can be comfortably seated in the chair 28 while undergoingtreatment. The legs I5 are spaced sufficiently far apart so that thelegs 29 of the chair 28 can fit therebetween whereby the proper tensioncan be applied to the patient being treated.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a traction device has beenprovided which will serve to place the spine in traction, relievetension headaches, and relieve pressure on intervertebral discs. Thespinal and neck traction of the device may be constructed of pipe havingany desired diameter and the weight 23 may be cast iron. The bar 25 hasthe horseshoe shaped hooks 21 on its ends for attachment to the chinstrap, and the present invention will serve to put the head and neck intraction to relieve various pressures on the spinal cord and associatednerves. The traction device of the present invention will also relievenerve root pressure in intervertebral disc herniation and will alsorelieve headaches associated with muscular tension or muscular strain.

I claim:

A traction device comprising a horizontally disposed base, a verticallydisposed standard extending upwardly from said base, said base includingacrosspiece embodying a pair of sections arranged in end to end relationwith respect to each other, means connecting the ends of said sectionstogether and to the lower end of said standard, a pair of spacedparallel legs extending transversely with respect to the outer ends ofsaid crosspiece and connected thereto, said legs and crosspiece lying inthe same plane, supporting means mounted on the upper end of saidstandard, a horizontally disposed arm extending forwardly from said lastnamed means and interposed between said pair of legs and arrangedthereabove, a first and second bracket detachably connected to said armand standard, first and second pulleys supported by said brackets, saidfirst pulley being arranged above and between said pair of'legs, saidsecond pulley being arranged below said first pulley, said pulleys, arm

and standardbeing arranged in thesa'me plane, 10

a cable trained over said pulleys, a vertically shiftable weightconnected to one end of said cable and arranged contiguous to saidstandard, a horizontally disposed bar connected to the other 7 end ofsaid cable and provided with hooks on its ends, and a head engagingsling arranged in engagement with said hooks, the space between '4 saidlegs adapted to receive a chair for supporting the person being treatedwhereby the persons head is directly below said first pulley.

MANUEL KAUFMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHERREFERENCES The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery for July 15 1952,advertising page 44. Copy in Scientific Library.

